Chapter Summaries

Georgiana connected the refugee crisis and the French campaign in Italy to a letter about Colonel Bianchi’s suppression of a rebellion in Slovenia. Murat insisted that preparations could not be reversed, while Georgiana and Denon argued that France could reaffirm its claim to Corfu under the Treaty of Campo Formio; the question of freedom of navigation remained unresolved.

• Georgiana recalled how wars and shifting occupations had stranded refugees and endangered French soldiers sheltered by priests in Milan.
• Georgiana remembered that Murat had once been captured in a hospital in Brescia and survived malaria in a prisoner-of-war camp.
• Georgiana told Murat that Colonel Frederick Bianchi had suppressed a rebellion in Slovenia, then handed him the jeweler’s letter to read.
• Georgiana considered how the loss of Corfu could seal the Adriatic and leave the French with nowhere safe to land.
• Murat rejected turning back, but Denon and Georgiana argued that France could reaffirm its claim to Corfu under the Treaty of Campo Formio.
• Murat asked Georgiana about freedom of navigation, and she admitted she could not solve the problem of Malta.

Georgiana reflected on Sicily, political power, and the burdens of endurance before a vision of her past and Hogwarts gave way to a little girl calling her “Mommy.” She left the dream in tears, unable to answer the child.

• Georgiana considered how Michael Corleone came to understand his father and how Sicilian power and underworld agreements worked.
• Georgiana learned from Denon that Cicognara had agreed after seeing a sculpture of Athena wearing a Roman helmet, then ordered a two-hour rest.
• Georgiana thought about endurance, souls, and the difference between being a marionette and a chess piece.
• Georgiana dreamed of Hogwarts, recalled Tom Riddle and her past, and imagined being buried at Hogwarts.
• A little girl called Georgiana “Mommy,” and Georgiana broke down in tears.

Georgiana and Stanley escaped a tedious treaty lesson and discussed inventions at the Lombardy Institute, including a sewing machine and Volta’s work. They built an electricity-generating bottle that shocked Polina and Dermide, leaving Georgiana eager to see a fish-attracting lamp.

• Georgiana and Stanley left Denon’s lesson during a break and talked about inventions at the Lombardy Institute in Pavia.
• Stanley described a sewing machine and Volta’s electrical work, then said he would go to Lyon to investigate a silk loom.
• Georgiana and Stanley made a bottle that generated electricity and shocked Polina and Dermide.
• Murat recognized the bottle and shouted at Georgiana for using it to scare people from Egypt.
• Dermide returned with candies for the girls but ignored Stanley, making everyone laugh.
• Georgiana became curious about the Lombardy Institute’s fish-attracting lamp.

Georgiana watched fireworks with Stanley, drank whisky, and broke down over the feeling that her pendant marked her as someone’s possession. Denon comforted her and offered her a possible future in Tuscany, but Georgiana preferred Venice and ended the night looking for more drink.

• Stanley draped a shawl over Georgiana, sang “Drunken Sailor” at her request, and watched the fireworks with her.
• Georgiana asked Stanley whether her life was ruined by the peridot pendant, then cried until Denon escorted her inside.
• Denon tried to comfort Georgiana, and she cursed Bonaparte for treating people as though they could not be hurt.
• Georgiana said she loved Severus but wanted someone else to help her forget him, and Denon told her she had chosen the wrong person.
• Denon offered Georgiana the chance to reside in Tuscany if the King of Etruria died, but she said she preferred Venice.
• Georgiana mocked the House of Bourbon and Bonaparte, then went to find more drink.

Drunk and burdened by the Eye of Horus, Georgiana reflected on death, loyalty, and revolution before meeting Augereau. She assigned him to hold Rivoli Castle and protect an engineer who knew the Loom’s secret technology, then left feeling free of the amulet’s magic.

• Georgiana drank whisky and accused the person in her mirror of misjudging Lockhart and believing people would change.
• Georgiana removed the Eye of Horus necklace and reflected on the symbols of brotherhood and the French Revolution.
• Augereau arrived at Murat’s home and demanded to know his assignment.
• Georgiana asked Augereau to hold Rivoli Castle for the republic and protect the engineer who had mastered the Loom’s secret technology.
• Georgiana told the amulet that she loved Leon and left.

Georgiana considered France’s food shortages, trade, and economic policies while arranging practical measures for fuel and education. After returning to the classroom, she found Denon with a group of Italian-accented visitors and wondered about Italy’s sugar-beet industry, but did not explain her sudden interest in lime kilns.

• Georgiana reflected on France’s rationing, bread shortages, and the political unrest that followed during the Revolution.
• Georgiana considered the effects of trade and money, and explained why she had put Maximin in charge of handling public demands.
• Georgiana had Daunou test a plan to provide free lodging for Elementary Learning students and trainee teachers.
• Georgiana returned to the classroom and found that Denon had brought in several old men who spoke French or English with Italian accents.
• While eating Hungarian goulash, Georgiana asked where the nearest lime kiln was, then dismissed the question without explaining her interest in sugar-beet processing.

Georgiana discussed scarcity, human nature, law, and the responsibilities magical power brought, then confronted the political problem raised by Italian representatives’ questions about censuses. The chapter left her heading off to find Murat and stop him from going south while ensuring the guests were treated properly.

• Georgiana reflected on the extinction of magical creatures and how scarcity had made Rhem cow blood contraband.
• Georgiana considered how fantasy concealed physical flaws and compared human transmutation with the way sculptors assembled the body.
• Georgiana recalled Harry’s misdeeds and the protection he received from Dumbledore and Fudge, and how his punishments worsened after Dumbledore died.
• Georgiana discussed how habit, laws, and the Statute of Secrecy shaped the Wizarding and Muggle worlds.
• An elderly councilman from Florence asked Georgiana what it meant to govern according to the king’s rights and religion, citing a census conducted with church assistance.
• Georgiana left the room, told Denon she would get a sword, and set out to find Murat to stop him from going south and treat the guests properly.

Georgiana decided to go to the Venice Carnival despite Murat’s warning that the city might become dangerous. Reflecting on war, manufactured consent, and the choices that had shaped her life, she picked up her sword and called Polina to join her on a grand adventure.

• Georgiana drew and sheathed her rose-colored sword while considering how Umbridge’s pursuit of order had encouraged students to break rules.
• Murat warned Georgiana that the city could become chaotic if they went north and told her that Jean de Brie had been attacked on his way back from peace talks in Vienna.
• Georgiana remembered Harry’s role in the war’s renewed outbreak and her choice to leave with Snape, then questioned whether Snape had truly fought for their future.
• Georgiana considered how Bonaparte manufactured consent and how the Austrians had withdrawn from Lucca as promised.
• Georgiana picked up her sword and called Polina, hoping she would join her for the Venice Carnival.

Neville asked Pomona to help save Buckbeak, and she explained why the law might not recognize him as a person before Snape interrupted their discussion. Later, Georgiana proposed resolving the Milan archbishop’s former land through a charitable trust and left the city representatives to vote.

• Neville told Pomona that Buckbeak was sentenced to execution by Walden Macnair and asked her to save him.
• Pomona showed Neville Hermione’s book and explained that Buckbeak might not qualify as a person under magical law, while Neville struggled with her examples.
• Snape entered Pomona’s office and challenged her remarks about justice and interest, and Pomona sent Neville away.
• Georgiana considered Neville’s killing of Nagini and her own disillusionment with Snape while preparing to address the city representatives.
• Georgiana proposed using Britain’s charitable trust system to settle the land left by the Archbishop of Milan and invited the representatives to vote.

Georgiana reflected on Italy’s urban plans and the preservation of Rome’s monuments while baking a raisin cake. General Doppel arrived with a letter from Murat revealing a demand for twenty million francs in military funds, leaving Georgiana to decide whether to help finance the march.

• Georgiana considered replacing aristocratic and Church gardens with public green belts and discussed the disputes over restoring the Colosseum and Pantheon.
• Doppel arrived at Murat’s palace and reminded Georgiana of the fire opal necklace she had thrown at Compiègne.
• Doppel delivered Murat’s letter, and Georgiana learned that the army needed twenty million francs in military expenses.
• Georgiana questioned Doppel about funding the troops, but he called the matter a military secret.
• Georgiana asked Doppel whether he wanted to go to heaven or hell, then returned to the kitchen as the cake finished baking.

While preparing breakfast, Georgiana reflected on war and the balance between spiritual and secular power before explaining to Italian representatives how constitutional authority should be ordered and restrained. She ended the tense meeting by taking Doppet to select wine and greet Madame Murat.

• Georgiana prepared Caesar salad and considered how prolonged wars and fortress defenses drained nations without guaranteeing victory.
• Georgiana told the Italian representatives that the Church and Empire had separate foundations and that constitutional power needed a restrained, balanced structure.
• A representative invoked Marsilius as a defender of peace, and Georgiana explained how years of war had created opportunities for mercenaries such as Sforza.
• Georgiana rejected the suggestion of reclaiming paintings, saying they would only be stolen again, and called for swords to serve self-defense.
• Georgiana left the meeting with Doppet to choose wine and follow his advice to greet Madame Murat.

Georgiana visited Caroline, who was pregnant and having her portrait painted, and spoke with her about childbirth, love, and the people counting on them. Caroline then told Georgiana that the opera house was staging Queen of Lombardy, leaving Georgiana to hear its plot.

• Georgiana found Caroline having her portrait painted and touched her pregnant stomach when Caroline allowed it.
• Georgiana spoke with Doppet about his military mission and the soldiers and ancestors he served.
• Caroline urged Georgiana to write to the man she missed, but Georgiana said she lacked inspiration.
• Georgiana asked whether Caroline would help Murat and her brother, and praised Murat's loyalty to Leon.
• Caroline told Georgiana that the opera house was staging Queen of Lombardy and began explaining its plot.

Georgiana and Caroline discussed Lombard history, symbols, military fraternity, and a play about Queen Theodelinda as they walked. Caroline revealed that Jerome had secretly married an American woman, while Joseph Marie de Grando offered ten million Franc from Lyon and questioned Georgiana’s plan to send General Augereau to Rivoli Castle.

• The chapter recounted the Lombards’ rise in Italy, Theodelinda’s marriages, and the history of the Iron Crown as the play’s audience jeered at Authari’s ghost.
• Georgiana reflected on symbols, military punishment, and the importance of fraternity among soldiers.
• Caroline told Georgiana that Jerome had met and married an American woman in Baltimore, and that the woman was expecting a child.
• Joseph Marie de Grando introduced himself as a Lyon representative and offered ten million Franc from the Lyon Chamber of Commerce.
• De Grando asked Georgiana about her missing olive-leaf earring and challenged her suggestion that General Augereau defend Rivoli Castle; Caroline proposed sending him with Murat, but Georgiana declined and continued walking.

Georgiana discussed Lyon’s political and economic troubles with Grando and reflected on how she would fill the emptiness in her heart without depending on Napoleon. After meeting Paganini at Caroline’s gathering, she returned to the meeting room with Grando.

• Grando explained why he had left Lyon after the Committee of Public Safety ordered the city destroyed and demolished Martin’s home.
• Georgiana discussed investments in Italy and the restoration of Rome’s Sisto Bridge with Grando.
• Georgiana questioned Grando about what people should seek after their basic needs were met, while Caroline listened.
• Georgiana reflected on her relationship with Napoleon and decided she would not wait for his love or seek comfort in another lover.
• Caroline led Georgiana and Grando to hear Paganini play Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, and Georgiana recognized the musician.
• Paganini declined Grando’s request to play for them, and Georgiana returned to the meeting room with Grando.

Georgiana negotiated with Italian representatives over artworks, a stadium, road regulations, and legal principles, then agreed to travel with General Doppel’s troops on the condition that they did not loot. She reluctantly met a retired French corporal seeking help for his arrested stepson and took him along to Marino Palace.

• Pomona and Severus examined Quirrell’s final botanical album and inferred that his last destination had Dragon Lilies and olive leaves.
• Georgiana recalled that those plants grew in dry regions and considered visiting Albania before negotiating with Italian representatives.
• Georgiana proposed a stadium, wheel-hub regulations for the Mount Cenis road, and rules to improve road safety, then urged the representatives to consider a political agreement.
• Georgiana told General Doppel she would travel with his troops only if they did not loot, and he agreed.
• Georgiana heard that a retired French corporal wanted to stand surety for his arrested stepson, then decided to take him with her to Marino Palace.

Georgiana considered the history of Napoleon’s Alpine campaign while dealing with detained members of a political association in Milan. Cicognara invited her to a party and pressed her to release a young man, leaving her angry and uncertain about what to do.

• Georgiana reflected on the discharged corporal’s lack of collateral and recalled how he had helped organize cannon sleds during Napoleon’s crossing of the Alps.
• She considered how Napoleon’s movements before Marengo had left him without reserves, while Julian opposed Georgiana, Polina, and Georgiana’s plan to visit Venice for Carnival.
• Cicognara arrived with roses and invited Georgiana to a party, where he said Antonio Aurelio and possibly Madame Murat would attend.
• Georgiana recognized Giovanni Aurelio’s police file and learned that he belonged to Piero Maceni’s Free Association, like the young man the corporal had bailed out.
• Cicognara took the file and urged Georgiana to pretend she had never seen it, but she rejected the suggestion and watched him leave with the record.

Georgiana prepared for a party with Polina, then traveled there with Caroline, Denon, and Paganini while reflecting on Napoleon’s actions and on blood, guilt, and purification. The group arrived at the party, where Caroline turned the conversation toward Etruscan civilization despite seeming distracted.

• Polina rejected Georgiana’s Etruscan-style necklace and lent her a deep-blue sapphire necklace instead.
• Georgiana learned about the Visconti family and the scandals surrounding Cicognara and his wife.
• Caroline brought Paganini to the party, where he promised to perform, and Georgiana asked whether he would play that evening.
• On the carriage ride, Caroline teased Georgiana about her feelings for Napoleon and argued that he could not be blamed for the Robbers’ actions.
• Georgiana reflected on the Grey Lady, the Bloody Baron, and whether Phoenix tears could cleanse the blood from a sacred place.
• Caroline discussed Venice Square and Etruscan civilization with Georgiana as their carriage reached the party.

At Cicognara’s party, Georgiana received a gemstone necklace from Cicognara and Zoisite, who asked her to protect Slovenia from war. Cicognara called the necklace Apollo’s Gift, but Georgiana rejected the fate he seemed to attach to it and fled, wishing she could Apparate to the lost city of Apollonia.

• Georgiana danced with Cicognara, who asked about Murat’s journey to Naples and promised her a gift.
• Cicognara led Georgiana to Zoisite, an old man in a wheelchair, who presented her with a wine-dark gemstone necklace and pleaded with her to protect Slovenia from war.
• Georgiana questioned why Zoisite had left his library and told him she could not protect Slovenia.
• Cicognara replaced Georgiana’s borrowed necklace with Zoisite’s gemstone and named it Apollo’s Gift, saying she could not escape fate.
• Georgiana argued that fate should be defeated, broke free of Cicognara, and fled, longing to Apparate to Apollonia.

Georgiana explored a hidden room at Cicognara's estate and learned that it contained dolls made from soil taken from mass graves and portraits of dead Russians. After discussing Cicognara and Caroline with Grando, she learned about a wild child near Avignon and discovered that Veronese was a title, not the painter's name.

• Georgiana hid from approaching footsteps in a dark room and found porcelain dolls and portraits showing only women's heads.
• Grando warned Georgiana not to touch the dolls and explained that they were made from soil taken from mass graves, while the portraits depicted dead Russians.
• Grando told Georgiana that the Countess of Cicognara's first husband had painted thousands of portraits in Russia while serving Catherine the Great.
• Georgiana told Grando that Cicognara had taken her to meet someone and given her a necklace, and she denied that the war had anything to do with her.
• Grando told Georgiana about a wild child found near Avignon whom he believed could be taught to become a person.
• Georgiana learned from Grando that Veronese was a title, like the Duke of Richelieu, and cursed in surprise.

Georgiana returned to the party after telling a story that changed how the guests viewed her, while reflecting on family, death, and the lives people built. The chapter ended with her noticing a black-haired man whose wooden stick vanished after he bowed to her.

• Georgiana's account of Count Veronese, his wife, and their child was accepted by the party, changing the guests' view of her.
• Georgiana reflected on friendship and family as she watched Caroline and Cicognara among the guests.
• Georgiana recalled the Venetian girl, Parisian funerary customs, and the ways people treated the dead.
• Georgiana considered the corporal's modest life and envied the Milanese woman he had helped.
• The Italian Ministry of Magic spoke with Severus about the house in Venice before Georgiana returned.
• Georgiana noticed a black-haired man holding a wooden stick, and he bowed before it vanished.